The AOU is approved by The Open University as an appropriate organization to offer higher education programmes leading to Open University validated awards. OU validated awards have parity of esteem with similar awards offered throughout UK higher education. A validated award is exactly the same as an OU direct award in terms of employment or application for postgraduate study. Under this partnership, the OU UK provides the following to the AOU:

·Programmes and courses.

·Learning materials (textbooks, DVDs, etc.).

·Programme monitoring, external examining.

·Dual awards (BA/BSC), exit awards (diplomas and certificates) together with the AOU.

AOU sought institutional accreditation and validation from OUVS so that the university could demonstrate a commitment to quality by accepting UK norms for academic and operational performance and service to students. Furthermore graduates from the university would receive an internationally recognised UK qualification to go with their Arab Open University degree.

The AOU received institutional accreditation and validation in December 2003, renewed for five years in 2007, and in 2012 is renewed for another 5-year period.